50th Anniversary of start of war in Pacific

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aukepalmhof
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50th Anniversary of start of war in Pacific

Post by aukepalmhof » Tue May 21, 2019 9:04 pm

Norfolk Island issued in 1991 three stamps for the 50th anniversary of the outbreak of the Pacific War.
The $1 is the only stamp with a maritime theme.

The stamp shows a column of warships and were not identified till Mr. K. Matsumoto found the original photo, which gives that it are Japanese destroyers on maneuver in Tokyo Bay on 11 September 1931.
The original photo shows a total of seven Fubuki class destroyers, however, only three can be seen on the stamp. This class of destroyers also called “special type” were larger and heavier-built than previous classes and were also equipped with twin enclosed turrets for the first time.
A total of 24 were completed.

The following web-site has more on the photo.
Prior to the start of World War II, all Japanese destroyers had their names painted in katakana letters on their hulls, which was read from right to left. This can be seen on the closest ship, which is Uranami (ミナラウ). Following behind Uranami are Shikinami, Ayanami and Isonami, all units of Destroyer Division 19.
Following in column beyond DesDiv 19 are ships of Destroyer Division 11. The first ship is Fubuki, followed by Shirayuki, Miyuki and Hatsuyuki. The top mast of one ship is barely visible behind Uranami's second funnel. Another identifying feature of Japanese destroyers and cruisers both before and during the war was the use of stripes on their funnels. These identified their position within a ship division, i.e. one funnel band for lead ship, two bands for the second ship.
The 11th and 19th Destroyer Divisions were part of the Third Torpedo Squadron, along with the 12th and 20th Destroyer Divisions. All of these divisions were made up of the new "special type" destroyers of the Fubuki class. The flagship of DesRon Three was the light cruiser Sendai. They were assigned to the First Fleet.
https://www.reddit.com/r/WarshipPorn/co ... the_third/

There is an error however – one of the ships on the stamp MIYUKI was sunk prior to the war, hence would not have any connection with World War II on this stamp.

URANAM:
1929 Japanese destroyer, built by Sasebo Navy Yard, Sasebo, Japan.
28 April 1927 laid down
29 November 1928 launched.
30 June 1929 commissioned.
Displacement 1,680 ton standard, dim. 118 x 10.4 x 3.2m.
Powered by two Kanpon geared turbines, 50,000 shp, and speed 38 knots max. Twin screws. Range 4,500 miles at 14kn.
Armament 6 – 127mm, 2 – 7.7mm MGs, 9 – 61cm torpedo tubes.

She was sunk SW of Masbate, P.I. on 26 October 1944 by U.S. carrier planes during the Battle of Leyte Gulf.

MIYUKI:
Built by Uraga Dock Yard, Uraga for the Japanese Navy.
30 April 1927 laid down.
26 June 1928 launched.
29 June 1929 commissioned.
Same details as URANAM.

29 June 1934 collided with destroyer INAZUMA in maneuvres south of Korea, where after she sank.

SHIKINAMI:
Built by Maizuru Navy Works, Maizuru for the Japanese Navy.
06 July 1928 laid down.
22 June 1929 launched.
24 December 1929 commissioned.
Same details as URANAM.

Sunk under escort of a convoy in the South China Sea on 12 September 1944 by U.S. submarine GLOWER.

Source: Watercraft Philately Nov/Dec. 2003 page 40.
Norfolk Islands 1991 $1 sg 524, scott516.
Attachments
URANAM destroyer.jpg
1991 50th anniversary war in the pacific.jpg

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